Warning Sarcasm is Plentiful in this post. 

I hear a lot of people grumbling about places being open on Thanksgiving. I did customer service for many years and this is what I have to say about this whole thing. If people didn’t feel like they could wait to go shopping and spend all their money, there would be no need to be open on Thanksgiving Day.

When store owners and big box companies see that they can make money because customers will come out and shop, then why are those shopping getting all in a tizzy? There wouldn’t be a need to be open if people would stay home and be with family.

It use to be on Thanksgiving Day that you would maybe find a Walgreen’s open and an occasional convenient store. Not anymore! The almighty buck has won out and Thanksgiving is just another day. Around our area, I think most places are open as they normally would be. There may be the grocery stores closing a bit earlier, but still. I honestly do feel bad for those employees who have to work, because I have been there. I have had to be late for family dinners or not make them at all and hope that we can do Christmas as a family. I want to sincerely thank those who are giving up their Thanksgiving serving others instead of your own families. 

One year when I was still working at the grocery store, I had customer after customer come into my line and say how sorry they were to see that I had to work on Thanksgiving Day. Well! I think after about the 15th person saying that, I got a bit upset. I told one customer that if she didn’t wait till the last minute to by her stuff, then I wouldn’t have had to work on Thanksgiving. She gave me a stupid look as she left. Some people just don’t get it. It’s all about supply and demand, not feel good and warm fuzzy feelings when it comes to business. I do have to give Lins Marketplace credit though. They would only schedule you if you signed up to work. They didn’t force anyone to work. And they stayed open till like 1 or 2 pm. But if people would get their stuff early, there would be no need for all of the workers to be there. HELLO!

Now, my way of thinking is this. If someone chooses to work, fine. But if they want to spend the day with family, then they should be able to. Around our house we eat in the early afternoon and then sit around doing nothing. I like the idea that stores are open. But I don’t like the idea of people being forced to work if they want to spend time with their loved ones. And actually there isn’t anything in the stores that I need bad enough to make someone work that doesn’t want to. Even here in Utah, where it is a very family oriented state, stores are open.

When people say they are going to boycott the businesses that stay open for Thanksgiving, I don’t really take them seriously. Because each year more and more people are shopping on Thanksgiving Day. There are a few stores closed, but not many. So if people want to belly ache about Thanksgiving and being upset that people have to work, then stay home and be with your family. Don’t give the retailers another reason to stay open. I don’t see that happening though because greed wins out over family anytime of the day.

Last year my daughter and I did Black Friday on Thanksgiving night and NEVER AGAIN. It is like watching a pack of wolves fighting . It was horrible and NOT worth it. Why people do it, I have no clue. Last year people were ran over with carts, police called, people getting in fights and getting punched in the face. All of this so they can save some money and get the gifts they want to lovingly give to a child, family member or friend. If people want to risk life and limb, then go for it. As for me, if you are willing to do that for a gift for me, I say forget it. It isn’t worth the price! I don’t see the gift of love and giving when people act worst than a pack of wolves. Video from Walmart 2011–  Here is a video from California – 

If you choose to go somewhere to eat on Thanksgiving, most restaurants are going to be open . Places like Denny’s, Black Bear, Cracker Barrel, Golden Corral, Chuck A Rama’s, McDonald’s, Red Robin and I’m sure the list goes on. You won’t find Chick Fil A and In N Out open on Thanksgiving Day though, since they value family time. I would like to say one thing about restaurants. Most waiters/waitresses only make around 2.13 an hour and depend on tips. Show a little gratitude to them for having to work and serve others and could be missing dinner with their own families to serve other families. Tip them good and say thanks. I have known many that have had to work on holidays and they miss out on the joy of being with family so they can make a living.

I will provide you with some store hours if you decide to go shopping. You might want to call just in case. I’m just putting information that I found on their sites, but store locations might change them up…

Department Stores

Kmart– 6 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.

Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Old Navy– Thanksgiving: Over 900 stores will be open from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Then, 700 stores will reopen 7 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 11:59 p.m.

Target– Thanksgiving: 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 11 p.m.

Staples– Thanksgiving: 8:00 p.m. – midnight
Black Friday: 6 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Sears– Thanksgiving: 8 p.m – 11:59 p.m.
Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Best Buy- Thanksgiving: 6 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 10 p.m.

Michael’s– Thanksgiving: 4 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Black Friday: 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.

J.C. Penney– Thanksgiving: 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Kohl’s– Thanksgiving: 8 p.m. – 11:59 p.m.
Black Friday: 12:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.

Dick’s Sporting Goods– Thanksgiving Hours: Hours vary, but some stores will open as early as 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving.
Black Friday Hours: Some stores will open as early as midnight.

Walmart
Walmart will be starting its Black Friday deals at 6 p.m. local time on Thanksgiving Day, two hours earlier than last year.